Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Chronicles 11

1 ANd when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriours, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.

Of this verse and v. 2, 3, 4. see the Notes on 1 King. 12. 21. &c.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1+ letters] Kin. 12. 21, [illegible: 1+ letters]

5 And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah.

i. e. Repaired, and enlarged, and fortified them: as building is oft used in Scripture▪ as hath been formerly proved: For these Cities, or divers of them, were built before, as appears from Ios. 10. 10. & 12. 15. & 15. 24, 33, 35, 58. & 19. 42.

12 And in every several city he put shields, and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.

To wit, so fortified, as he said v. 11.

14 (For the Levites left their * suburbs, and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priests office unto the LORD .

They would not suffer them to instruct and assist the Israelites in the worship and service of God, nor to go up to Jerusalem to worship in their Courses: and these Priests would not joyn with them in the Worship of the Calves, as they were desired and commanded to do; and therefore they willingly forsook all their Patrimonies and Possessions for Gods Sake.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1+ letters]5. 2. [illegible: 1 word] 13. 9.

15 And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.)

Or, for the high places, both for the Devils (i. e. the Baals or false gods, which divers of his People worshipped, whom he permitted and encouraged to do so, giving them liberty to do any thing [illegible: 1 word] to serve God at Jerusalem) and for the Calves. So he erected two sorts of High places, some for Baal, and some for the True God, whom he pretended and would be thought to worship in and by the Calves.

16 And after them out of all the Tribes of Israel, such as set their heart to seek the LORD God of Israel , came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.

Such as loved and feared God in truth and with their whole Heart.

17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon .

This honourable mention of Solomon as a Pattern of Piety▪ is a considerable Evidence of his true Repentance before his death: of which see more on 1 King. 11. 43.

18 And Rehoboam took him Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth to wife, and Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse:

He declared him his Successor and gave him the Dominion over his Brethren: wherein (if he was not the First-born, as it seems to be implyed because this is mentioned as an Effect of his Superlative Love to his Mother) he transgressed that Law, Deut. 21. 15, 16. unless God was pleased to dispence with it at this time.

22 And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren : for he thought to make him king.

Lest his other Sons should after his death unite their Counsels and Forces together against Abijah, he wisely dispersed them into several and distant Places, and under pretence of honouring them with the Government of them, he made them Prisoners in a sort, appointing several persons to observe their motions and prevent their Combinations.

23 And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his children throughout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fenced city : and he gave them victuals in abundance: and desired many wives .

Agreeable to their Quality, that their Restraint might be more easie to them.

Either 1. for his Children: Or rather 2. for himself, by comparing this with v. 21.

Marginal references: Heb. a multitude of wives.